Nintendo Switch Lite – Everything You Need To Know
The Nintendo Switch Lite was recently announced and is set to be released on 20th September 2019. The Switch Lite is smaller, lighter, and lacks some features that are available on the standard Switch, but these limitations do mean it comes with a lower price tag.
The Switch Lite is currently available for preorders and costs $199.99 or £199.99. Compared to the original Switch, which is priced at $299.99/£299.99 from most retailers, the Switch Lite is a more budget-friendly option.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Switch Lite.
What’s The Difference Between The Switch Lite And The Standard Switch?
The Switch Lite is smaller than the original Switch and is limited to handheld-only. It has a 5.5-inch touch screen, so it is slimmer than its predecessor, which has a 6.2-inch display. Unlike the original Switch, the Switch Lite can only be played in handheld mode. If you’re not bothered about playing Switch games on a TV and simply want a handheld console, then this makes the Switch Lite a cheaper alternative to the standard Switch.
In addition to being smaller, the Joy-Con controllers on the Switch Lite cannot be removed. This also means the Joy-Cons cannot be used as motion controllers or used with other Switch consoles.
Unfortunately, these limitations do mean that the Switch Lite cannot play all Switch games. The majority of Switch games will be playable on the Switch Lite, but games that do not work in handheld mode or rely heavily on motion control (like 1-2 Switch) will not be playable. Games that do not support handheld mode can still be played with wireless Joy-Cons, but you will need to buy these separately.
Joy-Cons are quite pricey, so purchasing them separately will drive up the overall cost of the Switch Lite to almost the same price as the original Switch. At this point, you’re probably better of just spending a bit extra to buy the standard Switch.
Additionally, the Switch Lite does not support tabletop mode, so it won’t come with a kickstand or a Switch Dock.
Despite its limitations, the Switch Lite does have a slightly better battery life than the original Switch. Instead of 2.5 to 6.5 hours of battery life like the standard model, the battery in the Switch Lite will last for between 3 to 7 hours. The length of time the battery will last for will depend on the games you are playing.
The Switch Lite also comes with a d-pad. This replaces the left-hand buttons on the standard model. The left-hand buttons on the Switch can be a bit fiddly and unprecise, so the inclusion of a d-pad on the Switch Lite is a good feature.
The Switch Lite will be available in three colours: grey, yellow, and turquoise. Limited editions of the console will also be available, so be on the lookout for these. There is currently only two special editions of the Switch Lite that have been revealed so far: the Pokemon Zacian and Zamazenta editions. These will both be a limited run and will launch on the 8th November 2019.
Switch Lite Specifications:
Even though the Switch Lite is a slight downgrade to the standard Switch, its specs are pretty much identical to its predecessor. This means the Switch Lite is more than capable of playing huge games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild without any dips in quality.
- CPU/GPU: Custom Nvidia Tegra processing
- RAM: 4GB (unconfirmed, but it’s likely to be the same as the Switch)
- Storage: 32GB – can be upgraded with a microSD card
- Connections: Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, USBC-C (charging-enabled)
- Touchscreen: 5.5-inches, 187×270 resolution, LCD
- Speakers: Stereo
- Battery: 3,570mAh – takes three hours to charge to full and can last up to seven hours
- Measures: 91.1 x 208 x 13.9mm
- Weight: 275g
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t already bought a Switch, then the Switch Lite is a good option if you’re looking for a handheld-only console that’s a little cheaper than the standard edition. The Switch Lite does lack a lot of features, but the better battery life and inclusion of a d-pad are both pluses. As the Switch Lite is smaller and lighter than its predecessor, it also makes carrying it around a little easier.
If you don’t get on with the left-hand buttons on the standard Switch, then the Switch Lite could be worth getting. However, games that do not support handheld mode or rely heavily on motion control cannot be played on the Switch Lite unless you have separate wireless Joy-Con controllers. If you think you might purchase additional Joy-Cons in the future, then it’s probably more worthwhile spending the extra $100 for the standard Switch.
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